Human Trafficking Conviction, A First for Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced that a Trenton man pleaded guilty on Monday to a first-degree human trafficking charge for forcing a 17-year old girl to engage in prostitution for his profit. It is the first human trafficking conviction for the office.

Breion Turner, 28, of Trenton, pleaded guilty on February 26 to one count of first-degree human trafficking before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Brown. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Turner be sentenced to eight years in state prison, with 42 months of parole ineligibility. He will be required to pay a $25,000 fine to the state’s Human Trafficking Survivors Assistance Fund, in addition to other fines and penalties.

“This plea will ensure the defendant serves a lengthy prison sentence and pays for exploiting such a vulnerable victim,” Prosecutor Onofri said. “I commend our Human Trafficking Unit for its dogged investigation and want the public to know that we are committed to aggressively pursuing these predators who abuse young women and children.”

Over a period of four days in October 2016, the teenage victim was held against her will by Turner at his residence in Trenton. He forced her to engage in sexual acts with several men. She was threatened with physical harm and not allowed to leave the premises. The victim was ultimately allowed to leave, and was confronted by her mother when she returned home after her mother saw a sex video of her.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Human Trafficking Unit and the Trenton Police Department. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Heather Hadley prosecuted the case for the state. Detective Alicia Bergondo of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office was lead detective on the case and Detective Robert Mathes of the Trenton Police Department initiated the investigation.